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Daniel Hall

Northumberland teenager takes third place in first ever Young Railway Photographer of the Year competition

For most of us trains are just a way to get around, but for one Northumberland teenager, they're his ticket to success.

Rowan Harris-Jones, who lives near Berwick, came third place in the under 18's category of the inaugural 2022 Young Railway Photographer of the Year competition in an awards ceremony at the National Railway Museum in York.

He entered six photographs which are now on display in the Great Hall of the Railway Museum, alongside those of 150 other budding snappers.

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The 18 year old, who is studying Railway Engineering at Newcastle College's Felling Campus, said: "I'm over the moon! It was completely amazing to be recognised nationally and that young photographers in the future will look up to me and be inspired by my style."

Colas Rail 56096 - Berwick Upon-Tweed Colas Rail 56 No 56096 accelerates over the Royal border bridge in the last of the summer light on July the 19th working the 13:47 hrs Sinfin Sdgs to Grangemouth Ineos empty aviation tanks. (Rowan Harris-Jones)

Rowan says that all of his photos have a story, and his entries included one of a train crossing the Royal Border Bridge in Berwick, and another where he cycled through knee deep snow to get the photo.

He said: "I don't think anyone understands the amount of hours you put into taking a photograph. It's not as simple as turning up and seeing what comes past. Some of my photos, I plan for weeks before I take them.

"Researching locations is a key part of it. The photo on the bridge at Berwick, you can only take that photo one week either side of the summer solstice because of the daylight and what time the train runs before the sun dips. I had that one planned a long time before I could actually take it. You need everything to fit together like a jigsaw to get the final result."

Locomotive Services limited 47 Nos. 47805 (D1935) and 47853 (D1733) clags out of Tweedmouth Loop on September the 27th working 1Z37 0920hrs Inverness to Ely. (Rowan Harris-Jones)

He has had years of practice, getting his first camera from an aunt aged 7 and photographing his toys in the garden, before getting a DSLR camera aged 14.

He continued: "My photography has come into trains because of me liking trains. The two sit really well together. I wouldn't call myself a train spotter but I used to want to record what I'd seen and it's all very well writing down a number but taking a photo of what I've seen helped quite a lot."

A train in the snow by Rowan-Harris Jones (Rowan Harris-Jones)

It's not just trains that Rowan photographs, he's also a talented wildlife photographer. And while he's not yet decided on whether photography will be any more than a hobby in the future, he said: " I do get stuff published in magazines but that’s not going to be enough as of yet to allow it to be a full time job.

"It’ll probably have to stay as a hobby but I’ve looked into potentially becoming a wildlife photographer around the world just recently. I’m looking at where that could go.

Rowan's photograph of an otter on the Isle of Mull (Rowan Harris-Jones)

"I think if you're seeing the world, photographing animals and getting paid, you're living the dream, let's be honest!"

For those who want to see more of Rowan's photos, the Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition will go on display at Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham, from June.

And Rowan is not the only North East photographer included. 20 year old Maud Webster, a student at Newcastle University, was one of the special 'Judges' Picks' for an 'exceptional individual image' of the Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge over the River Tyne.

The moon reflected in the River Tyne by the Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge (Maud Webster)

Maud said: "I found the scene of the reflections rippling in the water very inviting and so took a photo of it. When I found out about the competition I felt it fit the theme so entered.

"Getting Judge’s Pick was a really nice surprise. I am really passionate about public transport (especially rail) and am quite a creative person, but pretty inexperienced with photography. The chance to have feedback from judges and also get to meet the other photographers was great!"

Charlotte Kingston, Head of Interpretation and Design at the National Railway Museum, and competition judge, said: "The National Railway Museum is proud to support this inaugural competition which aims to celebrate our shared love of Britain’s railways and to inspire the next generation of young people.

"I was highly impressed by the range, quality and professionalism of our entrants and we will be displaying a selection of the best photographs in Great Hall alongside the stars of our collection."

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